Chile Challenge Draws World’s Best Mountain Bike Racers
Doug Pickett couldn’t remember how he finished in any of the three times he competed in the Chile Challenge mountain bike race at the Angel Fire Resort.
He was simply happy to finish.
“Those are some tough courses,” said the owner of Taos Cyclery, who competed in the cross-country and the Super-D events. “The courses are very technical. I’ve even seen some pro riders have to stop and pick up their bikes.”
But it’s exactly because of the difficulty of the trails that more than 2,000 competitors — amateurs and professional alike — will descend upon Angel Fire today to compete in the three-day Chile Challenge, the third event in Mountain States Cup Championship Series.
“These courses are world-cup caliber, which is sort of ironic considering how removed from the general footprint of civilization Angel Fire is in,” said event promoter Mike McCormack of Big Foot Productions. “But all the stuff they put in the ground for the World Cup (in 2005) has become the foundation for really incredible world-class riding. Angel Fire doesn’t just have one good run, they have four worldcup level downhill courses.”
Riders from across the globe will compete for $28,000 in cash and prizes in the 20th annual event, which features downhill, cross-country and Super-D races, with the event highlight being in the four-cross discipline today and Sunday.
“These are two big races,” McCormack said. “There are only three (International Cycling Union) events and Chile is one of them. The other race is a national championship — and that’s important at any time.”
In today’s UCI event, which begins at noon with finals starting at 5:30 p.m., racers will battle for the right to represent the U.S. on the national team for the 2008 UCI world championships, which will be held June 17-22 in Val de Sole, Italy. Then, on Sunday, the nation’s top four-cross racers will compete for the national title. The men’s event will feature reigning national champion Chris Herndon, Rich Houseman and 2004 world champ Eric Carter.
On the women’s side, reigning national champion Melissa Buhl is expected to battle reigning world champ Jill Kintner for the top spot on the podium.
While the races are open to all comers, Pickett said he’ll take an indefinite pass on adding fourcross to his resume.
“I’m 45-years-old and I have to work four to five days a week,” he said. “So the idea of spending the summer with my arm in a sling doesn’t really appeal to me — it’s a young person’s sport.”
As for watching the event, Pickett said that’s good for all.
“When you’re out there, you’re about five feet from the racers,” he said. “The energy level is great and the races last only about 30 seconds — it’s fast; it’s intense; it’s a lot of fun.”
And McCormick, who has been organizing the races at the resort for the past few years, said through the commitment of Angel Fire in maintaining its trails, this year’s competition could be one for the ages.
“The four-cross course has been improved every year and it only gets better,” he said. “It has a reputation to uphold, and I believe Angel Fire has made an unbelievable course much better. Their four-cross course is unparalleled in the United States.”
Dave Dekema, marketing director at the resort, said along with the competition, Angel Fire’s chair lifts will also be open so spectators can have a chance get in a few runs in between races.
“We work very hard to keep the competitors segregated from the general riders so there will be no issues there,” he said. “There are cross-country trails, summit cross-country trails and cross-country loops open to the general public.
“After you’re done riding, you can catch a trail back to the Chile.”
So, with more than 4,000 visitors expected during the three-day event, as well as mountain biking opportunities for most skill levels, McCormack said that their are few reasons for biking enthusiasts not to attend. Well, maybe one.
“The only thing is that it’s is hard to get to Angel Fire,” he said. “But once you get here it’s well worth the trip.
“The festival atmosphere is something Angel Fire really gets — there’s really nothing like else like it.” Chile Challenge glossary
FOUR-CROSS (also known as mountaincross): This event features four riders who compete head-to-head in a downhill dash to the finish line. All four racers begin at the starting gate and navigate a closed course filled with jumps and turns. Since four riders are on the track at the same time, bumping and rubbing typically occurs throughout the race. SUPER-D: This event is a blend of crosscountry and downhill racing. While most of the races are downhill, there are uphill sections that prompt most riders to use cross-country or trail bikes. DOWNHILL: Downhill racing is a timetrial event. Riders begin in intervals, with the fastest time determining the winner. As the name indicates, downhill races are held in steep downhill terrain.
CROSS-COUNTRY:
Cross-country racing is held on varied terrain, including climbs and descents. Distances in the Chile Challenge range from six miles for beginners to 23.5 miles in the professional divisions.
If you go
WHAT: The 20th annual Chile Challenge
WHERE: Angel Fire Ski Resort
WHEN: Today through Monday
HOW MUCH: Free for spectators. Cost of entry varies by event. More information can be found at acemsc.com.
